New Delhi: India has developed its first indigenously designed 64-bit microprocessor, marking a notable step in its effort to build domestic semiconductor capability.
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has successfully developed DHRUV64, a 1.0 GHz, dual-core microprocessor under the government-backed Microprocessor Development Programme. The initiative aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported chip technologies, particularly in sectors where supply chain security and system control are critical.
Microprocessors form the backbone of modern electronics, powering everything from smartphones and computers to industrial systems and defence platforms. Despite being a major consumer of chips, India has historically relied on overseas suppliers for advanced processors. Officials see the development of DHRUV64 as part of a broader attempt to address this gap through indigenous design and system-level integration.
According to official disclosures, DHRUV64 is designed to support a wide range of applications, including 5G infrastructure, automotive electronics, industrial automation, consumer electronics, and Internet of Things deployments. The processor uses a contemporary architecture intended to handle multitasking workloads more efficiently while maintaining operational reliability across varied environments.
C-DAC has indicated that the processor is compatible with multiple external hardware components, allowing developers to integrate it into existing systems with limited redesign. This is expected to ease adoption by system integrators and domestic manufacturers evaluating alternatives to imported chips for both commercial and strategic use cases.
DHRUV64 adds to a growing list of processors developed within India over the past decade. These include SHAKTI, led by IIT Madras for strategic and defence applications; AJIT from IIT Bombay for industrial systems; VIKRAM, developed by ISRO and the Semiconductor Laboratory for space missions; and THEJAS64 from C-DAC for automation-focused workloads.
